Day 103: Sat 29 Jun 24 - Kalgoorlie

Sat 29 Jun 24 - Kalgoorlie

9 Deg and a lot of rain overnight, continuing on and off throughout the day, and reaching only a maximum of 15 Deg.  

It was raining quite heavily when we woke, so it was another relaxed start to the day. First item on the agenda was a short drive into Boulder for a guided tour of the Boulder Town Hall. The Hall was formerly a theatre famous for celebrity performances by Dame Nellie Melba, Eileen Joyce, Joan Sutherland and AC/DC. The tour took us backstage, and into rooms not normally accessible by the public. The star attraction, was a rare and famous Philip Goatcher Stage Curtain, believed to be the last remaining one of its kind anywhere. Although we didn't actually see the curtain (as it hangs protected above the show curtain and is only lowered twice a week on weekdays), and has hung in the hall since 1908. After our guided tour, we walked through the Goldfields War Museum, also part of the Town Hall. This museum has some lovely exhibits, and showcases the involvement of up to 700 local residents in all Australian conflicts since the Boer War. 

After coffee in an old Fire Station Cafe, and with weather clearing enough, we drove the short distance to the Super Pit Lookout. The scale of the mining operations here are just staggering. I've included a few stats under each of the photos below (converted to text from photos), but there are simply too many numbers to mention. Check out the website here: https://www.superpit.com.au/  Unfortunately, we had hoped to take a tour into the pit, but mine operators have ceased tours until further notice due to expansion works. 

After staring down into the Super Pit in awe for about an hour, we returned to the van for a brew and light lunch. It continued to rain for the rest of the afternoon, so Noel had a quiet afternoon in the van, while I went to visit Chunky Timbers' - a local identity who  collects discarded timber and transforms it into beautiful pieces of furniture, homeware, kitchenware souvenirs and even jewellery. Chunky (by nickname and size) is a likeable character, and has a very unique skill at bringing discarded timber back to life. 

It was a relatively quite day. Thankfully the rain started to ease in the evening, so hopefully we can get out and about to explore more of Kalgoorlie tomorrow.

Boulder - Town Hall built in 1908.

Boulder - Town Hall
This beautifully heritage listed hall, with pressed tin ceilings and wrought iron balustrades, became famous as the host venue for celebrity performers such as Dame Nellie Melba, Eileen Joyce, Joan Sutherland and even AC/DC.

Boulder - Town Hall

Boulder - A Painting of the Goatcher Curtain, a priceless work of art hanging in the Boulder Town Hall. It is believed to be the last remaining working stage curtain of its kind, and was rediscovered entirely by accident. The curtain depicts the scene of the Bay of Naples and has hung in the hall since 1908. 

Boulder - Town Hall. On Stage. The Goatcher Curtain is hung above the main curtain for protection from being damaged

Boulder - Town Hall Council Chambers

Boulder - Town Hall including the Goldfield War Museum

Boulder - Town Hall including the Goldfield War Museum

Boulder - Goldfield War Museum has an amazing Patchwork Quilt with the Rising Sun, Poppies and Ode  on display. 

Boulder - Our coffee Venue which was once the old fire station.

Boulder - Burt Street (The main Street)

Boulder - Burt Street 

Boulder - Burt Street 

Boulder - Burt Street 

Boulder - Metropole Hotel in a sad state of disrepair

Boulder - Burt Street 

Boulder - Burt Street 

Boulder - Burt Street (Court Hotel)

The Super Pit - Aproximately 3.5 km long, 1.5km wide and 600m deep, is so big it can be seen from space.  

The Super Pit - Produces around 500,000 ounces of gold each year (around 14,000 kilograms). For every 1 million tonnes of ore extracted from the Super Pit, there are between 250 and 300 kilograms of gold. Haul Trucks in the distance making their way to the top with their load, looking like ants moving in slow motion.

The Super Pit - It was the biggest open gold mine in Australia until 2016, when it was surpassed by the Boddington gold mine, also in located in WA.

The Super Pit - Looks further down than 600m.

The Super Pit

The Super Pit
  • Caterpillar 793C Haul Truck
    •   40 on-site, replacement cost $5.7M AUD
    •   Gross power 2,300 horsepower
    •   Weighs 166 tonne
    •   Fuel tank 3,790 litres
    •   245 tonne payload
    •   Maximum speed 60 kilometres per hour
  • Komatsu PC8000 Face Shovel
    •   3 on-site, replacement cost $18M AUD
    •   Gross power 4,020 horsepower (2 engines)
    •   Weighs 750 tonne
    •   Fuel tank 13,900 litres
    •   1 full bucket is equal to 68 tonnes
    •   Maximum speed 2.4 kilometres per hour

The Super Pit

The trucks and shovels are supported by a fleet of around 20 ancillary machines including; Caterpillar 16M graders, Caterpillar D10T dozers, Caterpillar 854K wheel dozers, Komatsu PC1250 excavators


The Super Pit - The size is simply staggering

Boulder - A visit to Chunky Timbers Workshop. Chunky (Kim 'Chunky' Gent), collects and breathes new life into waste wood.

Boulder - Chunky is a bit of a character, a very likeable bloke and very talented

Boulder - Chunky Timbers. Check out his website. https://chunkytimberco.com/


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